This site is a sort of museum in cyberspace full of odds and ends about life in Budleigh Salterton.
It celebrates among other things the connection between our corner of East Devon - birthplace of both Sir Walter Raleigh and Roger Conant, founder of Salem, Massachusetts - and the United States of America.
The site was inspired by the friendship link established in 2001 with the Cape Cod community of Brewster.

Friday, 15 May 2009

J.S. Bach and Handel @ St Peter’s Music 20 May 2009

Wednesday 20 May 2009 at 7.30 pm sees another concert in the St Peter’s Music series at Budleigh Salterton’s St Peter’s Parish Church.

“An evening of splendid baroque music played by superb artists both of whom have been to St Peter’s before,” say the organisers. “If you know the Goldberg Variations you may be thinking this will be a long programme. Never fear, all the repeats are being omitted! Normally each variation is repeated.”

Chris Grist studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has since had an exceedingly varied career performing throughout the UK and Europe as orchestral musician, chamber musician and recitalist. As a chamber musician, Chris is cellist and founding member of Metamorphosis chamber group and principal cellist of London Concertante. He has performed throughout the country as soloist and chamber musician.

In London, Chris has performed concertos and recitals at the Barbican Centre, South Bank, St. James' Piccadilly, St. Martin-in-the-Fields as well as at Music Clubs and Festivals throughout the UK. As a soloist, Chris has performed in France, Spain, Germany, USA and Chile. Chris is also a member of ZUM - the gypsy-tango band.http://www.londonconcertante.com/

Born in Bethnal Green in the East End of London on the 21st March 1985, David Wright received no musical training as a child. His interest in music began after the death of his father, when he was nine, through subsequent involvement in the local church. It was there that he discovered the piano and organ and taught himself to play ‘by ear’, nurturing a love of the music of Bach and Mozart. At the age of sixteen he had his first piano lesson and learned to read music, later going on to study harpsichord at Trinity College of Music, where he won the Ella Kidney prize for early music, and graduated with honours.

David later graduated with distinction from the Royal College of Music in 2003, where for two consecutive years he won the Richard the Third and Century Fund Prizes. In 2003 he also won first prize in the prestigious Broadwood Harpsichord Competition, an international event held at London’s Fenton House, where he became artist in residence. As a soloist and accompanist David works regularly with some of the world’s leading ensembles and musicians. He has directed concerts from the harpsichord including the first modern performance of Thomas Arne’s ballad opera The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green. David is engaged regularly among the artists at Dartington International Summer School, and as repetitieur with English Touring Opera and the English Bach Festival. David’s radio and television broadcasts include performances as a finalist in the York Early Music Competition, solos at the Handel House Museum in London (both for BBC Radio3), and more recently a recital as part of the Belfast Music Festival, broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland. Just recently, David was assistant musical director to Jean-Claude Malgoire in a production of Rameau’s Platée at the Megaron in Athens with the English Bach Festival, with whom he will be performing Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo in the New Year.

During 2006 and 2007, much of David’s time has been devoted to The Goldberg Variations, which he has performed extensively though out the UK and abroad. Future live performances include: Bournemouth Festival in May 2007 (tbc), Dartington Summer School in July-August 2007, and Handel House Museum on the 23rd of August 2007. David has recently launched his new recording of the work, which can now be puchased direct by simply emailing David.davidwright@harpsichord.org.uk

By telephone:Ring 01395 442275 and request the tickets. You will be asked to forward a cheque made payable to St Peter's Music and a return S.A.E.At the door on the night. These are subject to availability.Concessions: Full time students pay half the advertised price.

St Peter's Music was started in 1994 by the then Vicar, The Revd Robert Gibbs and the Director of Music, Sylvia Pritchard. The intention was to provide regular concerts, mainly, but not exclusively, chamber music, to enable local residents to enjoy serious music without the need to travel to Exeter. Since then the organisation has changed little and the aim not at all. There is some emphasis in the programming to feature young musicians. Exeter School has been included for several years and Wells Cathedral School and the Purcell School have played on a number of occasions.

About Me

Born in 1946, in Birmingham UK, of Scottish-Irish parentage, and brought up as a Roman Catholic. Early education may have driven me into teaching, in the belief that schools should offer a more enjoyable experience for children. Studied French at London University, specialising in 16th century literature. Then came 34 years of teaching French, along with red herrings and common sense, at Oundle School, Northamptonshire. Published articles in Etudes Rabelaisiennes, (a long time ago), and a couple of books - one big 'Oundle's War' (1995) - and one small 'The Scientist in The Cottage' (2013) - a biography of Henry Carter FRS (1813-95). Dabbles, and some people say meddles, in many areas. A passionate gardener, moved to Devon partly to grow ericaceous plants more easily. Other interests include family, cycling, walking, photography, reading, music, studying butterflies, chopping wood, DIY, playing on the scaffold tower, and networking for the Greater Good. Married to Anthea for over 40 years. Three children: Emily, Simeon and Rosanna, three granddaughters and two Bengal cats. Like an increasing number of my friends of my generation, I'm a cancer survivor – I hope!